Expandable merchandising bag

ABSTRACT

An expandable merchandising bag having an expansion section that permits a manufacturer to ship a product in the bag with the bag in a collapsed, smaller state, and a user to enlarge the bag via the expansion section to an expanded state. The expandable merchandising bag in the expanded state provides more ample room for receiving the product after used, thus providing the consumer with a reusable storage bag.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/583,277, filed Jun. 25, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to storage containers, and moreparticularly to containers in which merchandise is stored for displayand later after use by consumer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To reduce manufacturer's shipping costs and retail merchant storagecosts, often merchandise is packed very efficiency in a container, suchas a box or a bag. Often, the ultimate consumer of the merchandise findsit very difficult, if not impossible, to place the merchandise back inthe container. This problem is particularly prevalent for flexible,foldable items, such as sleeping bags, airbeds, tents, shelters,inflatable toys, and the like. Users often have to purchase anadditional container to store the merchandise after opening the package.Alternatively, the manufacturer may have to supply a different storagebag or container for use after opening, which adds to product expense.

For some items, such as a sleeping bag, when put on display at a store,it is desired that the sleeping bag look large, or fluffy, so that auser will believe that the fill for the sleeping bag is sufficient tokeep the user warm and that the sleeping bag is also comfortable. Thus,if possible, the sleeping bag is presented so that it looks ratherlarge. However, for shipping, particularly shipping overseas, it isdesired that the sleeping bag be compacted as small as possible so thatshipping charges, which often are set by volume, may be minimized persleeping bag.

These two different goals are hard to meet in a single container.Moreover, because the use of store personnel is expensive, stores do notwant their employees to have to re-package items, such as sleeping bags,so that the items may be adequately displayed on a shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented below.

The present invention provides an expandable merchandising bag having anexpansion section that permits a manufacturer to ship the product in thebag with the bag in a collapsed, smaller state, and a user to enlargethe bag via the expansion section to an expanded state. The expandablemerchandising bag in the expanded state provides more ample room forreceiving the merchandise after used, thus providing the consumer with areusable storage bag.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an expandable merchandising bag inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention, with the expandablemerchandising bag shown in an expanded state;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag ofFIG. 1, shown in a collapsed state;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an expandable merchandising bag inaccordance with a second embodiment of the invention, with theexpandable merchandising bag shown in a collapsed state;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag ofFIG. 3, with the expandable merchandising bag shown in a partiallyexpanded state;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag ofFIGS. 3 and 4, shown in an expanded state;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a third embodiment of an expandablemerchandising bag in accordance with the present invention, with theexpandable merchandising bag shown in a collapsed state;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag ofFIG. 6, shown in a partially expanded state;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the expandable merchandising bag ofFIGS. 6 and 7, shown in an expanded state;

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of a fourth embodiment of anexpandable bag in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the section lines 10-10 of FIG.9; and

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the expandable bag of FIG. 9, withthe bag shown in an expanded state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments of the presentinvention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specificconfigurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may beomitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment beingdescribed.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numeralsrepresent like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows anexpandable merchandising bag 20 in accordance with an embodiment. Theexpandable merchandising bag 20 includes a zipper 22 extending along alength of a top 24 of the expandable merchandising bag 20. Theexpandable merchandising bag 20 includes sides 26, 28 and ends 30, 32.Top handles 34, 36 are attached at a central portion of the top 24 ofthe expandable merchandising bag 20. An end handle 38 is positioned onone end 32 of the expandable merchandising bag 20. The expandablemerchandising bag 20 may be formed of a flexible fabric or a semi-rigidor rigid material, or a combination thereof.

In accordance with an embodiment, the expandable merchandising bag 20includes an expandable section 40. This expandable section 40 may bemade, for example, of fabric, and may be the same material as the restof the expandable merchandising bag 20. In accordance with anembodiment, the expandable section 40 is formed of a more flexible orcollapsible material.

In the embodiment shown, the expandable section 40 includes a closure inthe form of a zipper 42. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the zipper 42includes upper zipper teeth 44 and lower zipper teeth 46 positioned attop and bottom portions of the expandable section 40, respectively.

In accordance with an embodiment, the expandable merchandising bag 20 isshipped with product in it, such as a sleeping bag, a tent, a shelter,an inflatable product, or an airbed, with the expandable merchandisingbag 20 in the configuration shown in FIG. 2. In this collapsed state,the zipper 42 is zipped closed, causing the expandable section 40 tocollapse and to shrink the total size of the expandable merchandisingbag 20. The flexible nature of the expandable section in this embodimentpermits the expandable section to collapse in this manner. In accordancewith an embodiment, in the collapsed state, the expandable merchandisingbag 20 is sized so that it may fit the product as shipped from themanufacturer. That is, the product is tightly packed within theexpandable merchandising bag 20.

As is known, it is often difficult to fold product back to the size ofthe product as originally shipped so that the product may fit into anoriginal shipping container. To address this problem, in accordance withan embodiment, the closure, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the zipper 42, may be released, for example, by unzipping the zipper 42.Releasing the closure in this manner allows the expandable section 40 toexpand, increasing the size of the expandable merchandising bag 20.Thus, the product may more easily be replaced within the expandablemerchandising bag 20 by a consumer, without the consumer having to packthe product as tight as the product was shipped by the manufacturer.

The expandable merchandising bag 20 provides the benefit of minimal sizefor shipping and store presentation. That is, the volume of theexpandable merchandising bag 20 is minimized. In addition, theexpandable merchandising bag 20, in its expanded state, provides alarger volume storage container that is useful for the end user in thatthe user does not have to fold and re-position the product as shipped bythe manufacturer. Thus, the fact that the expandable merchandising bag20 can expand in volume is useful for providing both compact shippingand reasonable usage by a consumer.

If desired, a retail store may alter the size of the expandablemerchandising bag 20 after received by a manufacturer for presentationat point of sale. For example, the expandable merchandising bag 20 maybe used to store a sleeping bag. When a sleeping bag is put on displayat a store, it is often desirable that the sleeping bag look large, orfluffy, so that a user will believe that the fill for the sleeping bagis sufficient to keep the user warm and comfortable. Thus, if possible,the sleeping bag is presented so that it looks rather large. However,for shipping, particularly shipping overseas, it is desired that thesleeping bag be compacted as small as possible so that shipping charges,which often are set by volume, may be minimized per sleeping bag.

These two different goals are hard to meet by prior art single sleepingbag containers. Moreover, because the use of store personnel isexpensive, stores do not want their employees to have to re-packageitems, such as sleeping bags, so that the items can be placed on ashelf.

In accordance with an embodiment, a tightly rolled sleeping bag isshipped to a store in the tightly rolled arrangement, with theexpandable merchandising bag 20 in the smaller, unexpanded state. Uponarrival at the store, a store clerk opens the closure (e.g., the zipper42) to allow the expandable merchandising bag 20 to expand to theexpanded state. By doing so, the expandable merchandising bag 20 expandsso that the sleeping bag looks soft and thick, which may be moreattractive to consumers.

Although the zipper 42 is disclosed as the closure for the expandablesection 40 of the expandable merchandising bag 20, other closures may beused. These closures may be re-attachable, such as the zipper 42, sothat the expandable merchandising bag 20 may be moved between theexpanded state and the collapsed state after being opened.Alternatively, the closures may be removably attachable, such as aremovable tab, so that the expandable merchandising bag 20 remains inthe expanded state after the closure is opened by a user. Other examplesof closures include, but are not limited to, straps, ties, hook and loopfasteners, buttons, snaps, hooks, loops and toggles, tearable strips,tape, and other releasable fasteners.

An example of an alternate embodiment of an expandable merchandising bag120 is shown in FIGS. 3-5. In this embodiment, a zipper 122 is included,and the expandable section 140 is located at the top of the expandablemerchandising bag 120. The expandable merchandising bag 120 is held inthe collapsed state shown in FIG. 3 by closure straps 148 having buckles150. The expandable section 140 is pressed downward against the topportion of the expandable merchandising bag 120 in FIG. 3, but may bereleased by attaching the buckles 150 as is shown in FIG. 4. Theexpandable section 140 is then free to expand to the position shown inFIG. 5. The closure straps 148 may be lengthened, such as by known endbuckle techniques, to extend over the top portion of the expandablemerchandising bag 120 in the expanded state shown in FIG. 5. The closurestraps 148 may then be attached by using the buckles 150 as is shown inFIG. 5. Alternatively, the closure straps 148 may not be used in theexpanded state.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-5, the handles 134, 136 located atthe top of the expandable merchandising bag 120 may be sufficiently longso that the handles 134, 136 may extend over the top of the expandablesection 140 when the expandable merchandising bag 120 is in the expandedstate.

A third embodiment of an expandable merchandising bag 220 is shown inFIGS. 6-8. In this embodiment, the expandable section 240 also extendsfrom a top portion of the expandable merchandising bag 220, such as inFIGS. 3-5. However, in this embodiment, flaps 252 are provided thatextend upward from sides 226, 228 of the expandable merchandising bag220. Also alternatively, unlike the expandable section 140, which foldsinward to collapse, the expandable section 240 collapses in anaccordion-style fashion. When the expandable section 240 is collapsed,the flaps 252 fold over outer sections of the collapsed expandablesection 240, and the flaps 252 are closed by closure straps 254. Theseclosure straps 254 may include, for example, buckles 256.

The expandable section 240 may be used as is in the expanded state, orthe closure straps 254 may be attached when the expandable section 240is in the expanded state shown in FIG. 8. If the closure straps 254 areused in this state, then the straps are lengthened in a manner known inthe art.

Although the various embodiments of the expandable merchandising bags20, 120, and 220 expand from either the top or bottom, an expandablemerchandising bag may expand from both the top and the bottom, or mayexpand from sides or ends of the expandable merchandising bag, or anycombination thereof. Moreover, although the expandable merchandisingbags 20, 120, and 220 are shown as generally rectangular elongate bags,an expandable section may be utilized on bags having other shapesincluding, but not limited to, cylindrical bags, square bags, oblongbags, and tubular bags.

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of an expandable bag 300 in accordancewith the present invention. The expandable bag 300 includes an upperzipper 302 extending along a top and portions of two ends of theexpandable bag. Handles 304 are mounted at the top of the expandable bag300.

The expandable bag 300 includes a lower zipper 306 that extends along alength of an underside of the expandable bag and up portions of the endsof the expandable bag. The lower zipper 306 includes two sets of zipperteeth 308, 310 (FIG. 11).

A gusset 312 is positioned inside the expandable bag 300. The gusset 312is attached at two locations, in the embodiment shown, one each onopposite sides of the sets of zipper teeth 308, 310. The gusset 312 inan embodiment extends the length of the zipper 306, and the fabric forthe gusset 312 is attached only at the two locations along the sets ofzipper teeth 308, 310.

In use, the expandable bag 300 is shipped and supplied to a user in thecollapsed state shown in FIG. 9. A user may remove product from theexpandable bag 300 by opening the upper zipper 302. An example productthat may be stored in the expandable bag 300 is a tent, although otherproducts may be stored in such a bag.

The user may unzip the zipper 306 to provide an expanded configurationof the expandable bag 300. As can be seen in FIG. 11, in such anexpanded state, the gusset 312 extends between the two sets of zipperteeth 308, 310, and defines a portion of the outer wall of theexpandable bag 300 in the expanded state shown in FIG. 11. When expandedin this manner, a user may find it easier to reinsert the product thatis to be folded, such as a tent.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus,while the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof isshown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of rangesof values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitationon the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language inthe specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A merchandising bag, comprising: a casing; and an expansion sectionin the casing configurable between a first arrangement where themerchandising bag holds merchandise in a tightly packed configuration,and a second arrangement where the expansion section expands so that themerchandising bag may hold the merchandise in a less tightly packedconfiguration.
 2. The merchandising bag of claim 1, wherein theexpansion section comprises flexible material that is collapsed intoitself when in the first arrangement.
 3. The merchandising bag of claim2, further comprising a releasable fastener for fastening the expansionsection in the first arrangement.
 4. The merchandising bag of claim 3,wherein the releasable fastener comprises a zipper.
 5. The merchandisingbag of claim 1, wherein the expansion section in the first arrangementcomprises folded over sections of an outer wall of the merchandisingbag, and wherein in the second arrangement the sections of the outerwall are extended.
 6. The merchandising bag of claim 5, furthercomprising a releasable fastener for fastening the expansion section inthe first arrangement.
 7. The merchandising bag of claim 6, wherein thereleasable fastener comprises a zipper.
 8. The merchandising bag ofclaim 1, wherein the casing comprises one or more of the set of aflexible material, a semi-rigid material, and a rigid material.
 9. Themerchandising bag of claim 1, wherein the expansion section comprisesthe same material as the casing.
 10. The merchandising bag of claim 1,further comprising a releasable fastener for fastening the expansionsection in the first arrangement.
 11. The merchandising bag of claim 10,wherein the releasable fastener comprises a zipper.
 12. Themerchandising bag of claim 11, wherein the zipper comprises upper zipperteeth positioned at a top portion of the expansion section and lowerzipper teeth positioned at a bottom portion of the expansion section.13. The merchandising bag of claim 1, further comprising an opening foraccessing an inside of the merchandising bag, and wherein the expansionsection is arranged at a side of the merchandising bag opposite theopening.
 14. The merchandising bag of claim 13, wherein the opening ison a top of the merchandising bag, and the expansion section is on abottom of the merchandising bag.
 15. The merchandising bag of claim 1,wherein the expansion section comprises: extension walls of themerchandising bag that extend from the casing; and an expansion side ofthe merchandising bag; and wherein, in moving the merchandising bag fromthe first arrangement to the second arrangement, the walls are foldedinward relative to the merchandising bag and the expansion side is movedtoward the casing.
 16. The merchandising bag of claim 15, furthercomprising a releasable fastener for fastening the expansion section inthe first arrangement.
 17. The merchandising bag of claim 16, whereinthe releasable fastener comprises at least one strap.
 18. Themerchandising bag of claim 17, wherein the strap is extendible totighten around the extension section in both the first arrangement andthe second arrangement.
 19. The merchandising bag of claim 15, furthercomprising handles on the expansion side that are accessible in thefirst arrangement and the in second arrangement.
 20. The merchandisingbag of claim 1, wherein the expansion section comprises a gussetattached to the casing on opposite sides of a releasable fastener. 21.The merchandising bag of claim 20, wherein the releasable fastenercomprises a zipper.
 22. The merchandising bag of claim 20, wherein theexpansion section is positioned on a bottom of the merchandising bag.23. A method of shipping and marketing a product, comprising: shippingthe product in a merchandising bag that is configurable between a firstarrangement where the merchandising bag holds the product in a tightlypacked configuration; and displaying the product in the merchandisingbag with the merchandising bag in a second arrangement wherein themerchandising bag is expanded so that the merchandising bag may hold theproduct in a less tightly packed configuration.